KANSAS CITY — Breakfast sandwiches are booming on menus, driven by consumer demand for convenience as more and more eat their morning meal on the go.

When strapped for time in the mornings, 43% of consumers will grab something on the go, according to a national consumer poll by Instantly. Of those 43%, 45% will visit a drive-thru restaurant for their sunrise sustenance.

Andy Jolls, Instantly
Andy Jolls, c.m.o. forInstantly

“In the U.S., with longer work days that break out of the 9 to 5 model, timing and convenience has become a deciding factor in what many Americans eat in the morning,” said Andy Jolls, chief marketing officer at Instantly. “But that doesn’t mean demand for breakfast foods is low. If companies can provide breakfast in a format that accommodates busy schedules while appealing to taste and nutrition, they could see significant incremental growth.”

Looking for a slice of that growth, Dunkin’ Donuts is launching its new Belgian Waffle Breakfast Sandwich. The handheld features Cherrywood smoked bacon, egg and American cheese served between two Belgian waffles.

Jeff Miller, Dunkin' Donuts
Jeff Miller, executive chef and vice-president of product innovation for Dunkin' Brands

“Belgian waffles are a beloved breakfast choice, and one that is typically saved for a sit-down meal,” said Jeff Miller, executive chef and vice-president of product innovation for Dunkin' Brands. “With our new Belgian Waffle Breakfast Sandwich, we are able to make the taste of this traditional favorite available on-the-go, any time of day for our guests.”

Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s are serving steak for breakfast with their new Steak, Egg & Cheese Biscuit. The biscuit features marinated, grilled steak, folded egg and a slice of Swiss cheese between the restaurants’ signature biscuits.

Brad Haley, Carl's Jr. and Hardee's
Brad Haley, c.m.o. for Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s

“People love their breakfast, and it continues to be a bright spot for many restaurants, but in today’s fast-paced world where people are rushing out the door most mornings, a lot of us have to sacrifice taste for expedience,” said Brad Haley, chief marketing officer for Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s. “Fortunately, at Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s, we are dedicated to providing freshly-made, quality breakfast items that can be picked up and eaten easily on the go, but still taste like something you’ll want to savor.”

Peet’s Coffee’s new breakfast sandwich, the Egg & Cheddar Breakfast Sandwich, is served on sprouted 7-grain toast and features cage-free fried egg and aged cheddar.

Click for a slideshow of new menu items.